The Police have arrested a 26-year-old man for his suspected involvement in a series of cheating cases.
Between 12 January to 3 February 2023, Police received multiple reports from victims who had purportedly been cheated by an unknown school bus service provider who had purportedly advertised his bus services to ferry children to and back from school. After receiving the payments via money transfers, the man did not fulfil the agreed service and became uncontactable. At least seven victims were cheated of a total sum of $3400.
Through follow-up investigations, officers from Woodlands Police Division established the identity of the man and arrested him on 8 February 2023. The man is believed to be involved in other similar cases of scam.
The man will be charged in court on 10 February 2023 with cheating under Section 420 of the Penal Code, 1871. The offence carries an imprisonment term of up to ten years and a fine.
The Police would like to advise members of the public to take the following precautions when engaging online services:
a) If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Only engage service providers from reputable sources.
b) Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the service providers.
c) Scammers may entice buyers to make deposits before the services are provided, and they may also use a local bank account or provide a copy of a NRIC/driver’s licence to make you believe that they are genuine sellers. Do not fall for it!
For more information on scams, members of the public can visit www.scamalert.sg or call the Anti-Scam Helpline at 1800-722-6688. Anyone with information related to such scams may call the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
09 February 2023 @ 9:10 PM